LIVE UPDATES: COVID Management February 8, 2021

Key points and live updates from the February 4, 2021 COVID management press conference featuring Major David Clarke of the Barbados Defence Force; Dr Omar Edwards, Medical Officer of Health at the Winston Scott Polyclinic; Senior Sister Juleyette Serrano of the Branford Taitt Polyclinic and Rev Dr Kirtley Yearwood of Holy Cross Health in Washington DC.

Dr Omar Edwards

• We intend to deliver an educational programme on the science of vaccines.
• Vaccines are safe – one of the foremost measures that save lives.
• Training has started for medical and nursing practitioners.
• This is not a public sector only approach.
• Training gives a background of concerns about variants.
• Training will include management of the entire process.
• Allergies can be a concern.
• A medical evaluation of people with allergies will be undertaken.
• We want to know if the allergy is any component of the vaccine.
• Once we are certain that is not the case, we will proceed with the individual in a clinical setting.
• The AstraZeneca vaccine does not contain blood products.
• This vaccine looks at generic material which will form the basis of the immune response.
• All the vaccines are relatively safe.
• The AstraZeneca vaccine had seen a low incidence of severe allergic reactions.
• All the COVID-19 vaccines have produced an efficacy rate of more than 60 per cent.
• People receiving the complete course of vaccinations will be offered a measure of protection against severe disease should they contract COVID-19.
• We should do some sampling for anti-bodies once we have administered the course of the vaccine.
• We want to see how our population reacts to it.

Senior Sister Juleyette Serrano

• We are preparing for the vaccine.
• We have public health nurses, staff nurses and retired health public nurses on board.
• Doctors have also volunteered to assist with the roll-out of the vaccine.
• The COVID-19 vaccine is safe
• After the vaccine is taken, you will remain with us for at least 15 minutes.
• During that time you will be monitored by a trained professional.

Rev Dr Kirtley Yearwood

• I had both jabs of the vaccine – on December 23 and January 11.
• I’ve had absolutely no side effects.
• After my first dosage, my left arm felt a little bit heavy for half-hour or so.
• I can testify to the importance of receiving the vaccine.
• The vaccine is already beginning to have an impact in Maryland, United States.
• The number of deaths have started to come down since we ramped up the vaccine.
• People are not as sick as they receive vaccines.
• We are making good progress.
• I would urge all Barbadians to take the vaccine.